The Second Time Around

Chapter Twelve

Okay so there's been a ton of reads popping up lately and WOW THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. This chapter is dedicated to @HannahHolder5 for being first commenter on the series! Ily all so much! Keep giving me feedback! I'll probably try to reply to all of them because you guys make me an emotional trainwreck with the nice words! Enjoy Chapter Twelve! Xoxo

Chapter Twelve (Lucy’s Perspective)

The taxi pulls up to the apartment building that I will be living in for the next month. Liam, Louis, and I had picked it out a couple of weeks ago. We kept it a secret from Harry because we knew that if he ever found out where I would be staying he’d be camped outside waiting for me to show myself. The boys had pulled some strings and had the landlord of the building find someone who was willing to have a roommate for a month. Luckily, they’d found one rather quickly. They said she was a twenty-one year old girl, but nothing else.

I’m really nervous.

“Well, here’s your stop,” The elderly driver says, motioning towards the red brick building that towered over us.

“Thank you so much for driving me,” I say, paying him and tipping him generously.

“It’s not a problem, young lady! I hope you enjoy your stay here in Miami!” He says cheerfully, getting out to help me unload my suitcases from the trunk.

“Thanks again,” I say, shaking his hand before grabbing hold of my two suitcases, carry on, and purse. He chuckles at my load and offers his assistance, but I tell him I can manage on my own. He nods and bids me a good day before climbing into his cab and taking off down the street again. I turn and stare up at the building looming above me. I swallow and make my way through the front doors. I’m greeted by a middle-aged man at the front desk.

“Hi, how are you doing today? Can I help you with anything?” He asks warmly.

“Um, yes, I’m doing well! I’m actually here to move in today! But I don’t know my apartment number or anything at all, really…” I trail, squinting slightly.

“Oh! You must be Lucy Green! Yes, Mr. Shepherd stopped by first thing this morning with your keys!” The man says, clapping his hands together and rummaging around his desk before pulling up a ring of a couple of keys. “Ah, here we go. This one is for your front door, and this one is for the mailbox right over there. Yours is marked with the same number as your apartment. Which, in this case, is 111. You’re on the second floor. Would you like any help with your luggage?”

“Erm, no thanks, I think I’ve got it,” I say, taking the keys from him and moving towards the elevator. I don’t make it halfway across the lobby before I drop a suitcase. “Actually,” I begin sheepishly, “I could use a little help!” He quickly makes his way over to me, laughing softly.

“That’s an interesting accent you’ve got there. Where are you from, Great Britain?” He asks curiously.

“England, yes,” I reply. “Holmes Chapel, actually.”

“What brought you to Miami?” He asks, once we’re in the elevator.

“My friends and I came for a… Erm- trip across the US! We’re taking a break from traveling over Christmas. I wanted to try living on my own for a bit before we grouped back up again at New Year’s,” I explain, not revealing who my friends were. I wanted as much as they did to protect them from paparazzi. And ravenous fans. After touring with them for nearly two months, I’ve seen just how vicious fans can be. It’s mind blowing!